And when you did not come, or even write to us, we thought the world had won you, and made you forget your promise," sighed Sister Josephine crossing herself.
The two youthful Sisters followed her example, sighed and crossed themselves.
There was a grave pause of a few minutes, and then the voice of Salome was heard in solemn tones: "The world won me.

The world broke me and flung me back upon the convent, and forced me to remember and keep my promise.

I return now to dedicate myself to the service of Heaven, at the altar of your convent, if indeed Heaven will take a heart that earth has crushed!" She sighed.
"It is the world-crushed, bleeding heart that is the sweetest offering to all-healing, all-merciful Heaven," said Sister Josephine, tenderly lifting the hand of Salome and pressing it to her bosom.
Again a solemn silence fell upon the little party.
Salome was the first to break it.
"It seems to me we have come a very long way, since we left the last station.

Are we near ours ?" she inquired, in a voice sinking with fatigue.
"We will be at our station in a very few minutes.

A comfortable close carriage will meet us there to convey us to St.Rosalie," said Sister Josephine, soothingly.
Salome sank wearily back in her corner seat.